Jewelry with Threaded Head and Magnetic Assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular magnetic jewelry system includes a jewelry body having a magnetic jewelry base and a magnetic jewelry head configured to magnetically couple with the magnetic jewelry base. The magnetic jewelry base may include a first permanent magnet, and the magnetic jewelry head may include a second permanent magnet. The jewelry body may have a male or female threaded portion, and the head may have a threaded portion of opposite gender to said jewelry body for mating engagement therewith when the head is magnetically coupled to the magnetic base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Indian Patent Application No.201621025196, filed on Jul. 22, 2016, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to jewelry with a removable head assembly,and, more particularly, jewelry with a head that is magneticallycoupled.

2. State of the Art

Many pieces of jewelry are not easily modified without the assistance ofa jeweler or special tools. For example, a ring may include a preciousstone that is set in a mount having bent prongs to hold the stone in themount. The bent prongs are not intended to be reopened by a wearer ofthe ring during normal use. To change the precious stone of such a ringto another stone generally requires the assistance of a jeweler, whichadds cost and inconvenience to an owner of the jewelry piece. Moreover,if an owner of the ring wishes to restore the original stone to thering, additional cost and inconvenience are incurred in re-using theservices of a jeweler.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, further details of which are described ingreater detail below, a jewelry system includes at least one jewelrybody and a plurality of jewelry heads configured to interchangeablymount to the body. The system allows a user to quickly interchangevarious jewelry heads with one or more different bodies to obtainmultiple body-head combinations to suit a user. For example, thedifferent types of jewelry bodies can include a ring band, an earringpost, and a pendant bezel and chain bail. The jewelry heads may havedifferent types of settings with or without different precious andnon-precious stones or materials. In addition, the heads may includemetal surfaces, such as gold or silver surfaces, which can be engraved.In addition to stones, the attachments can also include enameledsurfaces as well as pearls. The heads are configured to be interchangedwith the bodies by the user, without having to use specialized tools orthe services of a jeweler. Preferably, the heads are configured to beinterchanged with the bodies by hand by the user without tools.

Each body may have a base to which a first permanent magnet may bepermanently affixed. Also, each head may have a base to which a secondpermanent magnet may be permanently affixed. The first and secondmagnets may be permanently affixed with glue, for example. The firstmagnet may be flush set with the base of the body and the second magnetmay be flush set with the head. The first and second permanent magnetsare configured to face each other when the head is coupled to the body.The first and second magnets are set in their respective bases in such away that they have opposite polarity facing each other.

Also, each body and head may incorporate a secondary, non-magneticconnection. For example, to further strengthen the connection betweenthe body and the head, the base of the body may have a male threadedportion and the head may have a mating female threaded portion to matewith the male threaded portion of the body. For example, male threadsmay be located along an outer sidewall of the base of the body andmating female threads may be located along an inner sidewall of thehead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exploded assembly views of a jewelry system,embodied as a ring, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the ring of FIG. 1A, in an assembledstate, and viewed from a top and a side of the ring shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is an isometric view of the ring of FIG. 1B, in an assembledstate, and viewed from a bottom and the side of the ring shown in FIG.1B.

FIG. 1E is a side elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1F is an elevation view of the ring of FIG. 1E viewed from a sideperpendicular to the side shown in FIG. 1E.

FIG. 1G is a top elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 1C.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded assembly views of another embodiment of thejewelry system.

FIG. 2C is an isometric view of the ring shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in anassembled state.

FIG. 2D is a side elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 2C.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded assembly views of another embodiment of thejewelry system.

FIG. 3C is an isometric view of the ring shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in anassembled state.

FIG. 3D is a side elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 3C.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded assembly views of another embodiment of thejewelry system.

FIG. 4C is an isometric view of the ring shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in anassembled state.

FIG. 4D is a side elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 4C.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are exploded assembly views of another embodiment of thejewelry system.

FIG. 5C is an isometric view of the earring shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B inan assembled state.

FIG. 5D is a side elevation view of the ring shown in FIG. 5C.

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of another embodiment of the jewelrysystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A to 1G show an embodiment of a jewelry system embodied as areconfigurable ring 1. The ring 1 includes a body 2, which is formedgenerally as a ring band, and a head receiving base 3. The body 2 may bemade from any precious and non-precious metal, as well as any base metalwith or without a micron coating (e.g., pink, white, or yellow gold).The base 3 is configured to be affixed to a first magnet 4, such as withan adhesive. The first magnet 4 may be a powerful permanent neodymiummagnet that may have a cylindrical or disc shape, as shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B.

The base 3 has an outer sidewall 3 a and an inner sidewall 3 b. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the outer sidewall 3 a and theinner sidewall 3 b are cylindrical. The base 3 has a bottom wall 3 cthat is substantially solid, such that the inner sidewall 3 b and thebottom wall 3 c define a cavity 5 in the base 3 that is suitablydimensioned to receive the first magnet 4. In FIG. 1A the cavity 5 iscylindrical and has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than anouter diameter of the disc-shaped first magnet 4. The cavity 5 may beconfigured so that an outer surface 6 (which may be planar as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B) of the first magnet 4, sits flush with or is slightlyrecessed from a top edge 7 of the base 3 surrounding the magnet 4.

The ring 1 also includes a head 8 and a second magnet 9. As shown moreclearly in FIG. 1B, the head 8 has a coupling base 10 that can be madefrom any precious and non-precious metals, as well as any base metalswith coating of any color. The second magnet 9 may be of any shape, butis shown as being cylindrical or disc shaped in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Thebase 10 of the head 8 is configured to be affixed to the secondpermanent magnet 9, such as with an adhesive. The base 10 has an outersidewall 10 a and an inner sidewall 10 b, both of which are cylindricalin the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the example shown inFIGS. 1A to 1G, the outer sidewall 10 a of the base 10 of the head 8 hasa diameter that is equal to the diameter of the outer sidewall 3 a ofthe base 3 of the body 2. The base 10 also has a solid bottom wall 10 c.

The inner sidewall 10 b and the bottom wall 10 c of the head 8 define acavity 11 that is suitably dimensioned to receive the second magnet 9.Specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the innersidewall 10 b of the head 8 has a diameter that is slightly larger thanthe outer diameter of the disc shaped second magnet 9. The cavity 11 isconfigured so that an outer surface 12 (which is planar in FIG. 1B) ofthe second magnet 9 sits flush with or slightly recessed from (in anedge 13 of the base 10 surrounding the cavity 11. When assembled, theouter surface 12 of the second permanent magnet 9 is arranged to facethe outer surface 6 of the first permanent magnet 4. When the secondmagnet 9 is affixed to the head 8, the second magnet 9 is arranged sothat the polarity of the second permanent magnet 9 at the surface 11 isopposite the polarity of the first permanent magnet 4 at the surface 6.

It will be appreciated that in place of using two magnets 4 and 9 tomagnetically couple the body 2 to the head 8, a ferrous metal may besubstituted for one of the two magnets. Also, instead of discretemagnets being affixed to the base 3 and the head 8, the base 3 (andpossibly the entire body 2) and/or the head 8 may be magnetized in acase where the base 3, body 2, or head 8 are made from materials thatcan be permanently magnetized.

When the first permanent magnet 4 is affixed to the body 2 and thesecond permanent magnet 9 is affixed to the head 8 the body 2 and thehead 8 may be brought together to be coupled. For example, when the head8 and second magnet 9 are brought near the body 2 and the first magnet4, the magnetic attraction of the magnets 4 and 9 couples the magnetstogether, thereby coupling the body 2 to the head 8, as shown in FIGS.1C to 1G. The head 8 can be separated from the body 2 by magneticallydecoupling the magnets 4 and 9, such as by sliding or pulling the head 8away from the body 2. When the outer surface 6 of the first magnet 4 isflush with the edge 7 of the base 3 and the outer surface 12 is flushwith the edge 13 of the head 8, it is possible that when the body 2 andhead 8 are coupled together, the head 8 will not be coaxially alignedwith the base 3, which may not be aesthetically pleasing to the wearerof the ring 1. Also, if the head 8 is bumped when worn, it may shiftaway from an initial placement relative to the body 2. FIGS. 2A to 2Cshow an alternative embodiment of a ring 201 to that shown in FIGS. 1Ato 1G to facilitate aligning the head 8 with the base 3 of the body 2.

The ring 201 has the same features as ring 1, except as noted below. Asshown in detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ring 201 has a body 202 coupledto a first magnet 204. The body 202 has a base 203 having an outersidewall 203 a and an inner sidewall 203 b, both of which are shown asbeing cylindrical in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The inner sidewall 203 b of thebase 203 defines a cavity 205 to receive the first magnet 204. The firstmagnet 204 has an outer surface 211, which, when received in the cavity205, is recessed leftward (in FIG. 1A) of an edge 207 of the base 203surrounding the cavity 205. The first magnet 204 is recessed to provideroom in the cavity 205 to receive a stem 212 of a head 208 in the cavity205 when the head 208 is coupled to the body 202, as will be describedin greater detail below.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2B, the stem 212 defines a cavity 213to receive a second magnet 209. The stem 212 has an inner sidewall 212 aand an outer sidewall 212 b, both of which are cylindrical in FIGS. 2Aand 2B. The inner sidewall 212 a of the stem 212 defines the innersurface of the cavity 213 and has a diameter that is slightly largerthan the diameter of the second magnet 209. The second magnet 209 is setin the cavity 213 so that an outer side 214 of the second magnet 209 isflush with or slightly to the right (in FIG. 2B) an edge 215 surroundingthe cavity 213.

The head 208 has an annular flange 216 extending radially outward fromthe outer sidewall 212 b of the stem 212 to an outer peripheral edge 217of the head 208. The diameter of the outer sidewall 212 b of the stem212 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cavity 205 of thebase 203 so that the stem 212 and the second magnet 209 can be receivedin the cavity 205.

After affixing the second magnet 209 to the head 208 and after affixingthe first magnet 204 to the body 202, the second magnet 209 can bebrought near the first magnet 204 to couple those magnets and the head208 and the body 202 together. Specifically, when the magnets 204 and209 are coupled together, the flange 216 of the head 208 seats againstthe edge 207 of the base 203, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D. The stem 212extends longitudinally a certain amount from the head 208 that is lessthan or equal to the distance that the first magnet 204 is recessed inthe body 203 to ensure that the annular flange 216 of the head 208 seatsflush against the edge 207 of the base 203 when the head 208 is coupledto the base 203. Also, the diameter of the outer peripheral edge 217 ofthe head 208 is equal to the diameter of the outer sidewall 203 a of thebase 203 so that outer sidewall 203 a and the peripheral edge 217 of thehead 208 align with each other. Notably, the diameter of the outersidewall of the stem 212 b is slightly smaller than the diameter of theinner sidewall 203 b of the base 203, such that when the stem 212 isreceived in the cavity 205, the head 208 will not shift laterally(parallel to the surface 214 of the second magnet 209) relative to thebase 203.

Also, FIG. 2D shows a side view of the ring 201. Notches 217 a and 217 bare defined, respectively, in the base 203 of the body 202 and in thehead 208. When the notches 217 a and 217 b align, as shown in FIG. 2D,the notches 217 a and 217 b combine to form an enlarged cavity 217between the edge 207 of the base 203 and the flange 216 of the head 208.The cavity 217 may be sized to receive a portion of a user's fingernailso that the user can insert their fingernail in the notch 217 to pry thehead 208 away from the base 203, thereby decoupling the head 208 fromthe body 202.

While the embodiments of the rings 1 and 201 include generally circularshaped heads and bodies, other shapes are possible. For example, FIGS.3A to 3D show a ring 301 having the same coupling arrangement as ring201, but having a head 308 and base 303 that have heart shaped outersidewalls. The ring 301 is shown having magnets 304 and 309 thatcorrespond, respectively, to magnets 204 and 209 of ring 201.

Moreover, while the rings 1, 201, and 301 illustrate a single head and asingle base to couple to that head, other embodiments are possible thatmay include multiple heads and bases. For example, FIGS. 4A to 4Dillustrate an embodiment of a ring 401 with two sets of heads/bases 403a/408 a and 403 b/408 b. Each set of head and base 403 a/408 a and 403b/408 b may be coupled in the same way as described above in connectionwith ring 201, i.e., using sets of magnets 404 a/409 a and 404 b/409 b.

Also, while the examples of the jewelry system described above arerings, the jewelry system may be embodied as other types of jewelry,such as earrings, pendants, bracelets. For example, FIGS. 5A to 5Dillustrate an earring 501 that has bases 503 a and 503 b that aremagnetically coupled, respectively, to corresponding heads 508 a and 508b. First and second magnets 504 b and 509 b are used to couple head 508b to base 503 b and first and second magnets 504 a and 509 a are used tocouple head 508 a to base 503 a, in the same manner as first and secondmagnet pairs described above for rings 201 and 401. Heads 508 a and 508b may be the same as heads 408 a and 408 b of ring 401 and may beinterchanged therewith.

Base 508 b has a post 507 extending away from the base 503 b. The base508 a has a curved rod 502 extending from the base 503 a to a postreceiving end 502 b having an aperture configured to receive the post507 as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D. When the earring 501 is assembled asshown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the free end of the post 507 may be insertedthrough an pierced ear hole in a user's ear and secured thereto with anearring back (not shown) received over the free end of the post 507.

Also, each body and head in the above-described embodiments mayincorporate a secondary, non-magnetic connection. For example, as shownin FIG. 6, a ring 601, similar in appearance to ring 1, incorporates amagnetic coupling arrangement and also incorporates a threadedconnection between a body 602 and a head 608. The body 602 has a base603 having an outer sidewall 603 a that bears male threads 603 c. Thebase 603 has an inner sidewall 603 b that is suitably dimensioned toreceive a first magnet 604. An outer side 606 of the first magnet 604may sit flush with an edge 607 of the base 903 or may be recessed withrespect to the edge 607.

The head 608 has a base 610 having an inner threaded sidewall 610 a thatdefines a cavity 611 for receiving a second magnet 609 therein. Thethreaded inner sidewall of the head 608 is configured to mate with theouter threaded sidewall 603 a of the base 603. The cavity 611 isdimensioned so that when the second magnet 609 is seated in the cavity,an outer side 612 of the second magnet 609 is recessed from an outeredge 613 of the base 610. When the first magnet 604 is affixed to thebase 603 forming a magnetic body 602 and the second magnet 609 isaffixed to the head 608 forming a magnetic head 608, and the magneticbody 602 and head 608 are magnetically coupled together, a user cantwist the head 608 relative to the base 603 to engage the mating threadsof the head 608 and base 603 to further couple the head 608 to the body602. When a user wants to change the head 608 or otherwise remove thehead 608 from the body 602, a user unscrews the head 608 from the base603 to decouple the threads therebetween and then pulls the head 608from the base 603 against the magnetic force of attraction therebetweento separate the head 608 from the body 602.

There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments ofa jewelry system and methods of assembling and disassembling jewelry.While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it isnot intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intendedthat the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and thatthe specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular types ofjewelry have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the jewelrysystem may be used with other types of jewelry as well. In addition,while particular types of magnets have been disclosed, it will beunderstood that other types of magnets can be used. For example, and notby way of limitation, alnico magnets, ceramic magnets, ferrite magnets,samarium cobalt magnets. It will therefore be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to theprovided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope asclaimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular jewelry system comprising: a jewelrybody having a magnetic jewelry base that includes a first magneticsurface; a magnetic jewelry head configured to magnetically couple withsaid magnetic jewelry base, which includes a second magnetic surface,wherein said jewelry body has a male or female threaded portion, andsaid head has a threaded portion having threads of opposite gender tosaid threaded portion of said jewelry body for mating engagementtherewith when said head is magnetically coupled to said magnetic base.2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: said magnetic jewelry baseincludes a first permanent magnet, and said magnetic jewelry headincludes a second permanent magnet.
 3. The system according to claim 2,wherein: when said first permanent magnet is received in said firstcavity, an outer side of said first permanent magnet has a firstpolarity and when said second permanent magnet is received in saidsecond cavity, an outer side of said second permanent magnet has asecond polarity that is opposite said first polarity, and wherein saidouter side of said first permanent magnet and said outer side of saidsecond permanent magnet face each other when said head is coupled tosaid body.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: said jewelrybody is configured as at least one of a ring, a pendant, a bracelet, andan earring.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: said jewelrybody has a plurality of magnetic bases, and the system includes aplurality of magnetic heads corresponding to each of the magnetic basesfor coupling thereto.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: saidmagnetic jewelry base defines a first cavity configured to receivetherein said first magnetic surface, and said magnetic jewelry headdefines a second cavity configured to receive therein said secondmagnetic surface.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: a cavityis formed between the base and the head, the cavity being configured toreceive a fingernail of a user to pry said head away from said base whensaid head and base are coupled together.
 8. A method of configuringjewelry comprising: providing a jewelry body having a magnetic jewelrybase and a male or female threaded portion; providing a magnetic jewelryhead configured to magnetically couple with said magnetic jewelry baseand having a threaded portion of opposite gender to said male or femalethreaded portion of said jewelry body for mating therewith; magneticallycoupling said magnetic jewelry base to said magnetic jewelry head; andthreadably coupling said magnetically coupled jewelry base and saidjewelry head.
 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:threadably decoupling said magnetically coupled jewelry base and saidjewelry head; and magnetically decoupling said threadably decoupledmagnetic jewelry base from said magnetic jewelry head to separate saidjewelry body from said jewelry head.